The Real Question Behind France’s $3 Billion Deal in Kenya

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:02]France just showed up in Kenya promising 3 billion dollars in investment deals.

[00:00:08]Now, they're calling it a new era for African-French relations. But now, here's the question I'd like you to think about. Is this really new or just the same old game with a different suit?

[00:00:21]Now, Macron brought French CEOs. He promised infrastructure. He promised health. He promised AI partnerships.

[00:00:29]On the surface, it sounds incredible, especially for the continent, but let's talk about why he's here. [music] You see, in the last three years, France has been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. I mean, millions of Africans celebrated in the streets.

[00:00:46]French flags were burned. So, Macron pivots to East Africa, a region France never dominated before. And it calls it a fresh start.

[00:00:57]Supporters say Kenya needs investments.

[00:01:00][music] I mean, this is 3 billion dollars worth that can create jobs, build hospitals, connect tech hubs.

[00:01:07]Kenya's President Ruto even welcomed it.

[00:01:11]I mean, why reject money? But critics say these investments come with [music] French companies, French contracts, and even French influence. It's not aid, it's access. Africa gets the debt, Europe gets the resources and the markets. Now, here's what nobody's really talking about. You see, neocolonialism doesn't come with chains anymore.

[00:01:35]It comes with press conferences, investment forums, smiling handshakes.

[00:01:40]Because the question isn't whether Macron is nice or evil. It is whether African nations have the leverage, the ownership, and the exit [music] rights in these deals. Because historically, they don't.

[00:01:54]So, I need you to tell me in the comments, [music] is Macron's new African strategy a genuine reset or is France just finding a smarter door back in? Drop your takes in the comment section. Voice of Africa by Africans.